Monday, July 16, 2012

Tears, a Miraculous Warning

Written by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

On July 21, 1972, the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo published a
photograph from New Orleans showing a statue of Our Lady of Fatima
shedding tears. The report sparked keen interest in the Brazilian public
and I think many readers will welcome more information on the topic.

Statue
of the International Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima photographed in New
Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 miraculously weeping real human tears.

The best source of information on the matter is found in an article
with a typical American title: “The Tears of Our Lady Wet my Finger” by
Fr. Elmo Romagosa. It was published on July 20 in the Clarion Herald, a New Orleans weekly, distributed in eleven Louisiana parishes or counties.

The background to this event is universally known. In 1917, Lucy,
Jacinta and Francisco had visions of Our Lady at Fatima. The
authenticity of these visions was confirmed by the miracle of the sun,
witnessed by a whole multitude even as the Virgin spoke to the three
children.

In general terms, Our Lady charged the little shepherds to tell the
world that she was deeply upset by the wickedness and corruption of men.
She warned that if men did not amend, a terrible chastisement would
come that would annihilate many nations. Russia would spread its errors
throughout the world. The Holy Father would have much to suffer.

The punishment could only be avoided if men converted, Russia and the
world were consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and men did the
communion of reparation on the first Saturday of each month.

* * *

In view of the above, a question naturally comes to mind: Were Our Lady’s requests heeded?

In 1942, Pius XI consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Sister Lucy said the consecration lacked some characteristics Our Lady
had requested. I do not intend to analyze this complex subject here. I
simply mention, in passing, that whether Our Lady’s request for the
consecration of Russia was heeded is open to debate.

As for Our Lady’s second request for an amendment of life, it has so
obviously been neglected that no further comment is necessary.

Our Lady stated that obedience to her requests was a condition to avoid
the apocalyptic punishments that she predicted. Therefore, it is
logical that God’s vengeful and purifying wrath should fall upon mankind
before it converts and the Reign of Mary is established.

* * *

Of the three Fatima children, only Lucy survived beyond her childhood.
She was a Carmelite nun in Coimbra. Under her supervision, a sculptor
carved two statues that reproduced as closely as possible the facial
expression of the Most Holy Virgin as she appeared at Fatima. Both of
them were called “pilgrim statues” and have been taken around the world
by priests and laity. One was in New Orleans, where it shed tears.

Father Romagosa, author of the abovementioned report, was told of the
statue’s tears by Fr. Joseph Breault, M. P., the statue’s custodian.
However, he was reluctant to admit the miracle and thus asked Father
Breault to call him if any further weeping occurred.

Father Breault noticed moisture in the eyes of the Pilgrim Virgin
statue on July 17 and immediately called Father Romagosa, who reached
the statue at 9:30 p.m., bringing along photographers and reporters. In
fact, they all noticed the moisture in the eyes of the statue, which was
soon photographed. Father Romagosa then touched his finger on the moist
surface and collected a drop, which was also photographed. According to
Father Breault, this was the thirteenth weeping he had witnessed.

At 6:15 a.m. the next morning, Father Breault called Father Romagosa
saying that the statue had been crying since 4 a.m. Father Romagosa
arrived shortly afterwards. In his words: “I saw much liquid in the
statue’s eyes, and a large drop hanging from the tip of her nose.” This
drop, so graciously hanging, was captured in the famous photograph that
came out in the press.

Father Romagosa adds that he saw “a tear move as it slowly formed on the lower eyelid.”

However, he wanted to eliminate all doubt. He noticed that the statue
had a crown fixed on its head by a small metal connecting rod and
thought:

Can it be that water was poured into the hole where the crown is fixed on the statue, and this water drains into the eyes?

Once the weeping ceased, Father Romagosa removed the crown from the
statue: the metallic connecting rod was entirely dry. He then inserted
into the hole a wire wrapped in a special paper which would absorb any
liquid that might be there. The paper remained absolutely dry.

Still not satisfied with his efforts, he poured some water into the
hole. Yet the eyes remained absolutely dry. Father Romagosa then turned
the statue upside down. The water he had poured into the hole drained
normally. He was finally convinced that no water could come through the
hole in the statue’s head into her eyes, and there simply was no other
hole.

Father Romagosa knelt. At last, he believed.

* * *

These mysterious tears show Our Lady of Fatima crying over the modern
world, as Our Lord once cried over Jerusalem. Tears of most tender
affection, tears of deep pain for the punishment that will come.

It will come to the men of the twentieth century, if they do not reject
immorality and corruption. It will come if they do not fight especially
against the self-destruction of the Church, the cursed smoke of Satan
that according to Paul VI has penetrated even into the sacred places.

Reader, there is still time, therefore, to stop the punishment!

* * *

But, some will say, these thoughts are not those for a pleasant Sunday
afternoon. I answer: Is it not better to read this article now under the
tender manifestation of our Mother’s prophetic sadness than to live
through the days of tragic bitterness that will come if we do not amend?

If they come, I am convinced a special mercy will be shown to those
who, in their personal lives, have taken the miraculous warning of Mary
seriously.